Convertible auditorium



I April 5. 1927.

' 1,623,619 JJS. DEAN CONVERTIBLE AUDITORIUM Filed Nov. 9. 1925 ZSheets-Sheet 1 IM Mn Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

JAMES s. DEARoF SACRAMENTO, ALIFORNIA:

CONVERTIBLE AUDITORIUM':

Application filed November 9, 1925. Serial No'. 67,762.

I. .l i e. This invention relates to an auditorlum comprising a main floor, and a stage at one end thereof, and has for its ob ect the ero- .1. VlSlOIl of improved means whereby the nor may be readily positioned in either a horizontal plane'level' with'tlie stage, thusmak- 'ing the entire stage and floor space available for-dancing or other purposes, or in an inclined plane with respect to the stage with the end of the floor adjacent the stage below the same, for use when an audience occupies the main floor to witness performances on the stage and the like.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which with the foregoing, will be set forth at length in the following description where I shall outline in full that form of my invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In said drawings I have shown one form of convertible auditorium embodying my invention, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to such form, since the invention, as set forth in the claims,may be embodied in a I plurality of forms.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a partial plan view of an auditorium embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a platform connecting the floor with the adj acent fixed structure, and

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of an auditorium embodying my invention illustratin'g the floor in its inclined position.

In the drawings, I have shown an auditorium 1, having at one end a stage 2 and an orchestra pit 3 in front of the stage and located below the level thereof in the usual manner." In front of the stage adjacent the orchestra pit is located the main floor 4 of the auditorium which may besurrounded at its two sides and rear end by a tier of seats 5, which is interrupted at intervals by side and rear passageways 6 and 6 respectively forward end of the frame ,7- is supported'on a suitable .elevating'mechanism, such as a plurality of hydraulic jacks 9,'\0 1'1e-OfWl1lCl1 is shown in Fig. 3, whereby this end'oftlie floor may be moved vertically, a'nd the entire floor may be moved about the fulcrum, 8 to an inclined position as indicated in=ful1 lines in Fig. 3, orfto a horizontal position as indicated in dotted lines'in' said figure. Thus when the auditorium is used for a show or some other function which takes place on the stage the floor is in the inclined position, and seats are arranged thereon in the usual manner. In this position, the rear end of the floor extends slightly above the level of the rear passageway 6', and in order to provide a smooth and uninterrupted surface from the entrance passageways to the main floor, means are provided as shown in Fig. 2, in which the portion of the passageway 6 adjacent the frame 7 is cut away as shown at 10 and provided at its inner end with a pivot member 11 which supports one end of a platform 12. The opposite end of the platform 12 rests on shoulder 13 provided on the adjacent end of the floor frame 7. The platform 12 and the adjacent parts of the main floor and entrance passageway are covered with a mat 14. The several parts are of such shape and size as to provide a smooth runway from the entrance to the main floor inboth positions of the same, as is readily apparent.

The side passageways 6 adjacent the orchestra pit- 3 are provided with a similar arrangement, however, when the floor 4 is moved to its vertical position the incline is rather steep and removable steps 15 are provided in the passageway to the floor.

When the main floor is moved to its horizontal position by the elevating means 9, in which position it is level with the stage 2, a suitable platform not illustrated is provided to connect the front end of the'main floor with the stage and thus cover the orchestra it. F From the foregoing it will be seen that simple means have been provided for converting an auditorium arranged for stage productions in which case the main floor is inclined with respect to the stage, to other uses in which the entire stage and floor space are desired as one continuous floor.

I claim:

1. In an auditorium, a stage extending across said auditorium, a main floor pivoted on an axis spaced from and adjacent to the end of said floor remote from the stage, said floor when horizontal being in the plane of the stage, and means acting at a point spaced from and adjacent to the stage end of said floor for rotating said floor about said axis whereby when the stage end of said floor is lowered the remote end thereof is higher than said stage.

2. In an auditorium, a stage, a main floor in front of the stage, means pivotally supporting the floor at its end distant from the stage in a plane level with the stage, means for moving the end of the floor adjacentthe stage in a vertical plane, a fixed structure adjacent the sides and rear end of said floor having entrance passageways to said floor and a platform in said passageways pivoted on said structure and connected with said floor.

3. In an auditorium, a stage, a main floor in front of the stage, means pivotally supporting the floor at its end distant from the stage in a plane level with the stage, a fixed structure adjacent the sides and rear end of said floor having entrance passageways to said floor and means connecting said passageways with said floor so as to provide a continuous smooth surface in either position of the floor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES S. DEAN. 

